Artist News (1/16/13)

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leann rimes1LeAnn Rimes has scheduled appearances on Entertainment Tonight (on Wednesday, Jan. 16) and on Jimmy Kimmel Live! (on Jan. 22) to talk up her album Spitfire, which will release April 30.
 

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katie armiger1Katie Armiger released her fourth studio album, Fall Into Me, on Cold River Records on Tuesday (Jan. 15). Armiger had a hand in writing all 14 tracks on the album.
 

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kellie pickler1Kellie Pickler will host the charity event Unleashed: Dinner with your Dog Presented by Pedigree® Brand” on Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hutton Hotel. The event will feature a dog fashion show, a silent auction, giveaways, a cocktail hour and a dinner for guests and their canine companions. To purchase tickets, visit Nashvillehumane.org.
 
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parmalee1Stoney Creek Records’ Parmalee will headline the 2013 Country Gone Wild Tour, with supporting act Bush Hawg. The eight-city club tour will kick off in Ladson, S.C. on Feb. 15 and will include stops in Columbus, Ohio, Rootstown, Ohio, Kernersville, N.C., Lynchburg, Va., Pittsburgh, Chicago and Milwaukee, among

Weekly Register: Post Holiday Slowdown

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ckWeek two of the new year offered few surprises for Music City sales and no debuts on Nielsen SoundScan’s Top Current Country list. Red (49k) continued to dominate and was the only title to reach over the 20k bar. Labelmates Florida Georgia Line (FGL) stepped up to No. 2 adding 18k scans and TV soundtrack Music of Nashville took the No. 4 position with 16k in sales giving BMLG three out of the week’s Top 4 country albums. Capitol/UMG filled the remaining Top 5 spots with Luke Bryan (No. 3; 16k); and Little Big Town (No. 5; 16k).
The holiday sales bandwagon has subsided as country album sales fell 21% W/W and Top 75 sales barely reached the low water mark of 260k. A quick glance at the Weekly Grid shows the slowdown in graphic terms—YTD country album sales were up 4.8% last week but one week later are mostly flat (+.8%).
weeklygrid1-13-13The start of the year is traditionally slow for music sales since fans are are facing the reality of paying down holiday credit card bills. Still, there were non-country debuts from Chris Tomlin (No. 1; 73k) and Undead Hollywood (No. 2; 53k) that topped the all genre list and kept overall album sales in positive Y/Y territory (+4.1%).
If you are looking for something new from Nashville, you can find it on the Digital Genre Country tracks list. Blake Shelton’s “Sure Be Cool If You Did” debuts at No. 1 with almost 98k downloads. Taylor Swift also debuts a new track, “The Moment I Knew” that took the No. 2 position with sales of 79k. Getting No. 3 honorable mention is FGL with “Cruise” adding another 72k units for an RTD of 1.81 million!!!
weeklygrid1-6-13
Consider This
Watch and see if/how Facebook’s newly introduced Graph Search functionality plays out for the music industry. The beta version of the service, introduced 1/15 by FB CEO Mark Zuckerburg will focus on four main areas—people, photos, places and interests. In many ways the new search system reveals the power of the hive, that is makes it easier to discover likes and dislikes of friends and friends of friends. Will this become a new tool for music discovery? Will artists and labels find ways to “game” the system and make new music more likely to appear? Will Facebook offer these promo serivces for a fee?
With one billion active members, 240 billion photos and trillions of connections, Graph Search could have a profound impact.

Tomlin's 'Burning Lights' Is Fourth Christian Project To Debut Atop Billboard 200

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Chris Tomlin

Chris Tomlin


burning lights1Christian singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin‘s latest album, Burning Lights, has landed at No. 1 on Billboard 200 charts, making it only the fourth Christian project to ever debut in the top spot on the Billboard 200.
TobyMac‘s Eye On It topped the Billboard 200 album chart upon its release in 2012. Prior to that, the only other Christian projects to debut at the summit were LeAnn Rimes‘ You Light Up My Life–Inspirational Songs and Bob Carlisle‘s Butterfly Kisses (Shades of Grace).
Grammy-winner Tomlin is best known for his numerous worship songs, including “How Great Is Our God,” “Holy Is The Lord” and “Jesus Messiah.” The 12-track project Burning Lights was produced by Jason Ingram, Ed Cash and Dan Muckala and includes Tomlin’s current single “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies).”
Tomlin will launch his 34-date Burning Lights tour on Feb. 19 in Charleston, W.V.

All For The Hall To Return To New York City in 2013

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Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris at All For The Hall in 2010. Photo: Alex J. Berliner.

Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris at All For The Hall in 2010. Photo: Alex J. Berliner.


The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s All For The Hall series will return to New York City in 2013. All For The Hall New York will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at Best Buy Theater, and will feature performances by Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris as well as other guest performers. The performance will take place in a “guitar pull” fashion and a cocktail reception and dinner will precede the performance.
“We are delighted to be returning to New York, and look forward to offering patrons a unique country music experience and an opportunity to engage in the life of our 45-year-old educational organization,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “This annual event facilitates understanding of the important collection, research and scholarship that are the essence of our great national museum. The contributed income derived from the event allows us to continue our mission of preserving the evolving history and traditions of country music; it helps to fund our dynamic changing exhibit schedule, our school programs, the hundreds of public programs we present each year and more. We are very grateful for our warm welcome in previous years and look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones next month.”
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum launched All For The Hall in 2005. All For The Hall was hosted in New York previously in 2007 and in 2008, and in Los Angeles in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
All for the Hall New York is chaired by AEG Live Chairman Tim Leiweke and produced by CAA’s Rod Essig, Vector Management’s Ken Levitan and BMI’s Jody Williams.
To purchase tickets or for more information, patrons may contact Rachel Shapiro at rshapiro@countrymusichalloffame.org or telephone 615-416-2069.

Facebook Unveils Graph Search

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Graph Search will appear as a bigger search bar at the top of each page. Users can create custom views of the results by changing the titles.

Facebook announced a new search tool yesterday (Jan. 16) called Graph Search. Built for use within the extremely popular social site, Graph Search is designed to keep users on Facebook, instead of going to other sites to seek information.

According to Facebook, “With Graph Search you combine phrases (for example: “my friends in New York who like Jay-Z”) to get that set of people, places, photos or other content that’s been shared on Facebook. It makes finding new things much easier, but [for privacy reasons] you can only see what you could already view elsewhere on Facebook.”
At present, Graph Search will mine users’ pictures, likes and check-ins, but not status updates. The first version of Graph Search focuses on four main areas — people, photos, places, and interests. Open Graph actions (for example, song listens) are not yet available, but could be in coming months.
Examples of searches include: “people from my hometown who like hiking,” “friends of friends who have been to Yosemite National Park,” “software engineers who live in San Francisco and like skiing,” “photos of my friends before 1999,” “cities visited by my family,” “Indian restaurants liked by my friends from India,” “tourist attractions in Italy visited by my friends,” “movies liked by people who like movies I like,” “languages my friends speak,” “strategy games played by friends of my friends,” and “books read by CEOs.”
According to the New York Times, “The search tool is plainly designed with an eye toward profits. If done right, said Brian Blau, an analyst with Gartner, it could offer marketers a more precise signal of a Web user’s interests. ‘It’s going to lend itself to advertising or other revenue-generating products that better matches what people are looking for,’ he said. ‘Advertisers are going to be able to better target what you’re interested in. It’s a much more meaningful search than keyword search.'”
Graph Search beta is open and only available in English. Click here for more details or to join the waitlist.
In more FB news, the company is testing a pay-to-message service for ordinary people to be able to message celebrities, CEOs, etc. More here.

Lady Antebellum, Stevie Nicks Team Up for 'Crossroads'

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crossroadsStevie Nicks will share the stage with Lady Antebellum when CMT presents an all-new episode of CMT Crossroads. Meeting and collaborating for the first time on the CMT Crossroads stage in Los Angeles, Nicks and Lady Antebellum will share harmonies and stories on CMT Crossroads: Stevie Nicks and Lady Antebellum, premiering later this year on CMT.
CMT Crossroads is produced by Tom Forrest and Kathryn Russ. John Hamlin, Margaret Comeaux and Bill Flanagan serve as executive producers.

Nashville Gets New Full-Service Live Entertainment Company

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Gary Bowman

Gary Bowman


Event producer Gary Bowman has launched Nashville Live!, a full-service live entertainment company. Bowman will work in conjunction with Jim Brammer and the company will be located at 1821 Air Lane Drive in Nashville.
Bowman has produced nearly 60 concerts and festivals during his 22 years in the industry, in addition to numerous live broadcasts and recordings. In over 40 of those events, Bowman served as the primary producer, managing staff and crew of up to 550 people and accommodating crowds of over 50,000. In 2011, Bowman’s work on the Greenbrier Classic Concert series, a multi-day festival that drew nearly 160,000 attendees and included artists Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban and The Black Eyed Peas, received the honor of “Best Special Event” from the PGA Tour Tournament Advisory Council.
Contact Nashville Live! at 615-495-9049.
 
 

DISClaimer: Blake Shelton Is At The Top Of His Game

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coolI love country duets. There is just something so pleasing to my ears hearing two splendid voices singing in harmony with both parts mixed like lead vocals. No other musical format has anything like this. So it comes as no surprise that two of my favorite records in this listening session belonged to Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell and to Mark McKinney & Bri Bagwell. These are records that tell me that real country music is alive and well.
That said, I’d be a fool not to honor Blake Shelton with a Disc of the Day award. The man is at the top of his game.
Although the duo of McKinney & Bagwell is new, he has been in this column many times before as a solo. And none of the other newcomers knocked me out. So, alas, there is no DisCovery this week.
ANSON CARTER/All About the Music
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Rusted Truck Ranch  
—The track copies Waylon’s old Waylors sound and, sure enough, the lyric waxes nostalgic about the old “Outlaw” days. Then he veers off into praising Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen for not appearing on talk shows. Whatever. It rocks.
LONESTAR/Maybe Someday
Writer: Frank Myers/Dean Sams/Billy Montana/Richie McDonald; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Meleva/Last Song Standing/Clearbox Rights/Mike Curb/Dandon Ranch/NuSlate, BMI; 4Star
—The reunited Lonestar (Richie McDonald, Dean Sams, Keech Rainwater and Michael Britt) still sounds super great. This power ballad has a big, majestic sound that revels in regret and heartache. Hooks a-plenty.
THE CLAY WILSON BAND/Tomorrow
Writer: Clay Wilson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, BMI; CWB 
—Crisply produced, this has tasty electric guitar licks, throbbing rhythm, bopping energy, handclaps and a lead vocal that chews on the lyric with gusto. I’m totally digging it. These guys are batting a thousand in this column with their singles. Send an album!
BLAKE SHELTON/Sure Be Cool If You Did
Writer: Rodney Clawson/Jimmy Robbins/Chris Tompkins; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publisher: Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Bucks/Big Loud Songs/Play Another/Extraordinary Alien, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros. 
—He’s swooning over her in a barroom. Best line: “You don’t have to shoot me down, ’cause you’ve already knocked me dead.” An echoey, mid-tempo, finger-snapping production perfectly frames his countryboy vocal performance.
KELLY PARKES/As Good As Me
Writer: Doug Bryson/Dee Briggs; Producer: Mike Borchetta, Darran Smith & Mark Lambert; Publisher: Cross Bayou/Songs South/Perleejo/Songscape/Lullabye Blue, ASCAP; Ocala 
—The track is full of energy, which contrasts with her somewhat languid, slightly pitchy vocal delivery. Intriguing, if not exactly flawless.
JAKE OWEN/Anywhere With You
Writer: Ben Hayslip/David Lee Murphy/Jimmy Yeary; Producer: Joey Moi & Rodney Clawson; Publisher: WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This/Old Desperados/N2D/Carol Vincent/EMI Blackwood/Beattyville/Great Day at This, ASCAP/BMI; RCA 
—Handsome Jake’s star-making album yields its fourth single. It is the collection’s lead-off track, an escape/road song with lots of wailing electric guitars and his customary vocal warmth.
JOSEY MILNER/Not Pretty Enough
Writer: Kasey Chambers; Producer: Micah Burdick & Matthew Russo; Publisher: Gibbon PTY, ASCAP; MTS 
—Ms. Milner’s bland interpretation of Aussie Americana star Kasey Chambers’ song drains all the blood and soul out of it.
EMMYLOU HARRIS & RODNEY CROWELL/Hanging Up My Heart
Writer: none listed; Producer: Brian Ahern; Publisher: none listed; Nonesuch  
—Old Yellow Moon, the highly anticipated duets album by Emmylou and Rodney isn’t due until Feb. 5, but I couldn’t resist a sneak listen. This lead off track two-steps its way right across your heart with its jaunty vocals and clear, straightforward country production. A pre-order of the CD on Emmylou’s website gets you a free download of this charming number. Roger Miller’s “Invitation to the Blues” is also on the collection, as are Allen Reynolds’ “Dreaming My Dreams with You,” Matraca Berg’s “Back When We Were Beautiful” and several Rodney tunes. Every track is a glittering gem.
MARK McKINNEY & BRI BAGWELL/She Ain’t Leavin’
Writer: none listed; Producer: Eric McKinney & Mark McKinney; Publisher: none listed; MM 
—They’re broke, blue, overworked and disgusted. But they’ve got each other. Not to mention the best song of the listening session, and a rollicking, cool-as-brew production. Absolutely country and absolutely wonderful.
JOHN CORBETT/Steal Your Heart
Writer: Jon Randall/Gary Nicholson/Paul Overstreet; Producer: Gary Paczosa & Jon Randall Stewart; Publisher: Reynsong/Wha Ya Say/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Gary Nicholson/Scarlet Moon, BMI/ASCAP; Funbone 
—From Sex and the City to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Corbett has long since proved himself as an actor. But don’t let that color your opinion of him as a music maker. He’s no moonlighting dilettante. He’s a real-deal country rocker. I loved his last CD, and Leaving Nothin’ Behind only fulfills its promise. This bluesy lead track romps splendidly. Of the collection’s 10 songs, Jon Randall Stewart co-wrote seven. He also co-produced. Corbett calls him “my favorite songwriter.” You can’t argue with the man’s taste.

Shaun Silva Adds Two Editors To Post-Production House

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e1353370508.27Two of the industry’s top offline editors, Lee Tucker and Scott Mele, have joined Nashville’s newest post-production house, Forward.
The company’s founder and owner, Shaun Silva, made the announcement Tuesday (Jan. 15).
“To be able to continue the growth of Forward with two of the industry’s top standouts will allow us to continue our goals of securing and attaining top projects from all over the world,” said Silva. “This is a game change and we are proud to be announcing that Lee and Scott have joined our growing company.”
Tucker is a 14-year veteran in his field with experience as senior editor on Nashville Star, editor on Women of K2 for the National Geographic channel, editor on Stars for Stripes, Wounded Warriors Return for GAC and Editor/Director on the Old Crow Medicine Show Live DVD. His love of music and the art of the story have led to color correction work on Jack White‘s “Love Interruption” and film projects from Harmony Korine‘s short films to Brent Stewart‘s recent Sundance entry, The Dirty Ones.
Mele’s 24-year career has led him to work with Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney, The Band Perry, Faith Hill, Limp Bizkit and Aretha Franklin. His commercial experience extends to national brands such as Verizon Wireless, Cellular One, Subway and a handful of hospital campaigns, in addition to episodic television shows, major network specials and theatrical releases.
Forward officially opened its doors in November of 2012 and is located in the historic Marathon Village.
Silva has directed numerous country music video clips, including work for Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, Luke Bryan, Brooks & Dunn, as well as work for rock artists Uncle Kracker and Three Doors Down. In 2010, Silva won Best Director at the CMT Music Awards.

Industry Ink (1/16/13)

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ASCAP’s first showcase of 2013 featured four up-and-coming songwriters, Kelsea Ballerini, Shaunna Bolton, Adam Hambrick and Forest Glen Whitehead, performing in the round at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe on Wednesday, Jan. 9.

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Shaunna Bolton, Adam Hambrick, Kelsea Ballerini and Forest Glen Whitehead

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Shaunna Bolton, Adam Hambrick, Kelsea Ballerini and Forest Glen Whitehead

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ScenicCity1Heng Dai Media producers Todd Mayo and John Walker recently announced a new “sister show” to Nashville’s popular Music City Roots series. Scenic City Roots which will premiere in Chattanooga on March 7, 2013. Scenic City Roots will take place monthly, on Thursdays, at Chattanooga music venue Track 29.
Shows will begin at 7 p.m. ET.

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David Dixon

David Dixon


 
Media communications strategist David Dixon has been announced as Country Radio Seminar’s featured daily speaker for Thursday, Feb. 28, during CRS 2013.
Dixon is a partner at Dixon/Davis Media Group, based in Washington, D.C. The company was part of the Obama media team during the 2008 and 2012 elections, where they oversaw television and radio campaigns in Florida, Virginia and North Carolina. As part of the presentation, Dixon will discuss how radio has played an important role in winning recent political campaigns and how it fit into the overall media mix. He will also illustrate how radio is working with television and the growing relationship it has with digital and grassroots media.

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Phil Graham, Charlie Feldman and Tommy James.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Phil Graham, Charlie Feldman and Tommy James.


Rock legend Tommy James was recently recognized by BMI for 22 million combined radio performances of his hit songs “Draggin’ The Line,” “Crimson and Clover,” “Crystal Blue Persuasion,” “Mony Mony” and “Tighter Tighter.”  James was presented with five BMI Million-Air Awards in New York.  James stated, “I was very honored to receive the BMI Million-Air awards, I have been a member for so long it feels like family. My thanks again to BMI.”